You: “Hey, Roeshel! Um…it’s barely November!”

Me: I know! When Michaels set the date for the Dream Tree Challenge my first thought was “It’s the day after Halloween for goodness sakes!” But my second thought was “With all that’s been going on around here, I need a happy distraction and hey, a head start doesn’t hurt.“

For me, holiday decorating definitely fit the bill. I wanted to decorate a tree! Christmas is my favorite holiday and I feel all organized by getting an early start. Get comfy, my friends. I have a lot of holiday cheer to spread around! Michaels provided me with a beautiful pre-lit 7 ft. artificial pine and a gift card for decorating to participate in the dream tree challenge to kick off the decorating season in the DIY Show Off house. Decorating early will definitely help ease my holiday-stress.

Last year, I made a beautiful no-sew ombre tree skirt and I knew I wanted to continue with an ombre theme in the family room.

{easy sew or no-sew ruffled tree skirt tutorial} 

Non traditional star orb tree topper:  I painted assorted sized wooden stars and embroidery hoops in ombre colors with a spray of Krylon glitter blast and let them dry. I assembled the hoop orbs using hot glue. Next I drilled a hole in the top of each star, laced stars and hoops with fishing line, tied on some ribbon bows and hung from the ceiling using small Command hooks. 

And Michaels had everything I needed to assemble my non-traditional sparkly ombre dream-tree theme starting with cool wintery mint…

sparkly sky blue…

happy cheerful aqua…

my favorite,  a deep rich turquoise…

to a beautiful royal blue…

Everyone: “Ooohhhh! Ahhhhh!“

Glitter sparkle everywhere! Love it! #bling!

This tree is nice and full but I start by filling in an artificial tree with the HUGE assortment from the floral department first…poinsettias, pine branches, large flowers/accessories with glittery leaves, beaded sticks and feathers – all just tucked between the branches. Then I finish up by adding in traditional ornaments, birds, ribbon and pinecones. 

Someone is certainly fascinated by it…

She takes after me…just can’t stay away from the glimmery shimmery beauty. 

Traditional Christmas just doesn’t work in this room with my beautiful colorful curtains but this gorgeous ombre tree in blues and greens is perfect! I decorate three trees, one that’s traditional, one that’s more natural and now this non-traditional ombre tree to light up our eclectic colorful family room. Fun!  

I’ll be hosting the DIYShowOff annual Christmas tree link party this year as usual starting December 1st. I normally start my holiday decorating the weekend after Thanksgiving. How about you? 

Disclosure: I received a 7 ft. pre-lit tree and gift card for trimming the tree from Michaels in exchange for sharing the Dream Tree Challenge. Tree theme, opinions, experience and decorating are in my own words. 

For more holiday crafting and decorating information: 

• See my experience with shopping at Michaels.
• More great tips for Christmas tree decorating.
• The Michaels Décor Guide has tons of ideas and projects to make spreading the holiday cheer throughout your house easy. Navigate through the online version, download a copy, or pick up one at your local Michaels!
• Michaels is offering a holiday helpline this year! Now through Christmas Eve you can call 1-800-MICHAELS Monday throughFriday from noon until 5 p.m. CST and be connected directly to Michaels crafting experts. You also can send craft questions via email to holidayhelp@michaels.com or by using the hashtag #askmichaels on Facebook and Twitter.